Greenpoint
Lorven Pharmacy
Culture on the Cheap
New(ish) & Noteworthy: Carrera’s Taqueria
Filed under: 11206, Bushwick, Bushwick Brooklyn, East Williamsburg, East Williamsburg Brooklyn, Stuff That Makes Miss Heather Happy
A great many of the people who follow this site know I like to attend meetings conducted by our local Community Board. What they might not know is now I have yet another one to attend. The Public Safety Committee, which used to handle both police matters and the dispensation of liquor licenses has been split into two entities:
1. The Public Safety Committee which handles police matters and inexplicably sidewalk cafe permits
and
2. The SLA Review Committee whose sole purpose is to review the copious number of liquor license applications in our fair burgh.
Do I like the additional imposition this arrangement makes on my (greatly diminishing) free time? No, not really. However, it is on occasion worth it as I learn about new eateries in our neighborhood. Carrera’s Taqueria being one of them.
I made the acquaintance of the owner of this establishment, Alberta Zafra, at the last SLA Review Committee meeting. In fact, he was seated next to me along with this father (who, it should be noted, operates a Mexican cheese business in Bushwick). The latter was present to provide support.
Upon noting that Mr. Zafra operates a Mexican restaurant I asked if I could look at his menu. He gladly obliged. Therein I found a number of items of vegetarian interest. Among them:
- Aztec soup (THINK: a broth-based soup with nachos tossed in for good measure!)
- A variety of quesadillas including— but not limited to— mushrooms with mixed vegetables, corn truffle and pumpkin blossoms.
Naturally I had to check this place out. And check it out I did with a companion (so as to render a balanced “verdict). I order tried the above-listed Aztec soup (as seen at right) and the vegetarian quesadilla; he the chile rellenos. Our conclusion was as follows: delicious— and afordable!
Of especial note was my quesadilla (as seen below).
Let me take a moment to explain what you have just seen. The contents are grilled cactus and mushrooms. These are housed in a house-made corn tortilla (which is nothing short of amazing) and topped with crema. You can check out their menu (which unfortunately sustained some salsa damage) by clicking here. Check it out!
Carrera’s Taqueria
Status: Open (and soon to sell beer and wine!)
Hours: Monday -Friday, 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.; Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. (They are currently closed on Sundays but I have been advised this will change.)
Delivery: Yes!
Catering: Yes!
915 Flushing Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11206
(347) 599-2193
From The Community Board 1 Combined & Public Hearing: Newtown Creek CAG
Filed under: 11101, 11206, 11222, 11385, East Williamsburg, East Williamsburg Brooklyn, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Long Island City, Long Island City Queens, Maspeth, Maspeth Queens, Newtown Creek
This item was brought forth by our board’s Environmental Chair (and all-around nice lady), Ryan Kuonen. What is the Newtown Creek “CAG”, you ask? Very simple: as it name indicates it is a panel consisting of members of the greater Newtown Creek community whose purpose is to oversee the clean-up of this waterway and provide a forum to discuss any pertinent environmental concerns.
Perhaps this may not strike some of you as being terribly exciting, but I assure you it is very much needed. And Newtown Creek CAG needs you! Simply put, they want as diverse a panel as possible and to this end are seeking new members. You can learn more about “CAG” and how you can get involved by persuing their “about” page.
Otherwise (and to close on a related note): follows is footage of our Community Board Chair’s opening remarks from said convocation which, among other things, condemns the city’s consideration of a site in Greenpoint (Lombardy Street at Varick Avenue to be specific) for the placement of a “Green Energy Facility” (READ: an incinerator).
NOTE: What Mr. Olechowski fails to mention initially— but does mention in his “letter”— is a second proposed site is just across the creek south of the Kosciuszko Bridge. While not in Greenpoint per se, its impact will undoubtedly be felt here. Something to consider, folks!
UPDATE, 6:20 p.m.: A commenter has raised a very salient question. This being: Exactly how does one become a CAGer? In this respect this web site appears to be vague. However, I have been advised that any/all interested parties should show up at their next meeting. This has yet to be announced. Thus, joining Newtown Creek CAG’s mailing list is the way to go. This you can be done by going to their web page, entering your email address in the field highlighted below and hitting “follow”.
From The New York Shitty Photo Pool: Snow White
Filed under: New York City
Taken By Scoboco.
New York Shitty Day Starter: Whoops
The reconstruction of Nassau Avenue has thus far proven to be fraught with challenges. I for one do not find this encouraging given the actual work has not even commenced yet. The latest issue to be brought to my attention is the copious amount of signage which has been installed directing motorists to alternative thoroughfares. While certainly laudable, the powers-that-be seem to have overlooked that in so doing they are precluding pedestrians from actually using our city’s sidewalks. Which brings me to the above item (as spied by Sherry Wasserman). She writes:
Check out the new traffic sign on Diamond and Norman, which amusingly takes up more than half the sidewalk.
I certainly hope no one who happens to have mobility issues (READ: requires the assistance of a wheel chair or scooter to go about his/her daily life) resides on this block. Given the number of senior citizens in the Garden Spot this is highly likely. Conversely, this might prove to be an interesting deterrent for the increasing number of individuals who see fit to walk our community’s sidewalk while texting.
To be continued…?
The Word On The Street, Part II: 12 Oz. Prophet
Filed under: 11211, Street Art, The Word On The Street, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
From Leonard Street.
Greenpoint Photo du Jour: The Corner Frenzy
This afternoon as I was strolling by the Corner Frenzy I wondered to myself:
Gee, I wonder if they’re serving ice cream yet?
Luckily for me (and north ‘Point ice cream lovers), the bad-ass lass who presides over this establishment, Miriam, was out front. I asked her if they were selling the cold stuff. She said not just yet. Those of you who want to get your sweet-tooth on will have to wait until after they come back from vacation: April 12th, 2012. So there have you!
Corner Frenzy
Bad news: Closed for vacation April 2 -April 10, 2012
Good news: Resumes selling ice cream April 11, 2012
995 Manhattan Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11222
Spotted On Greenpoint Avenue: Hooliganism
After I took the above photograph a gentleman who works at this establishment asked me what I was doing. Given the relations between this business and its neighbors (especially those residing in the condominium next door) are “chilly”, I decided a direct (but light) approach was in order.
Someone has affixed a middle-aged balding man to your building.
I said. The man looks up. I added:
That’s Phil Collins.
This observation, for reasons not completely clear, precipitated a fit of impish laughter from his person. He thought this was really funny.
Perhaps, as the sign indicates they are in a new line of work: Live Poultry Laughter? In any case I spied a few new/modified Phils while passing at the Greenpoint Avenue entrance of G train shortly thereafter.
Although the fez is amusing…
I, as a Greenpointer, found the Pope’s miter hilarious.
NYS Flickr Pool
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